On June 16, 2025, the sad news was confirmed: David Ellsworth, one of the world’s greatest masters of woodturning, passed away after a brief illness. His legacy goes beyond technique—he was a mentor, an innovator, and an architect of a community that now mourns his departure deeply.
David was much more than an exceptional woodturner. His vision transformed a solitary craft into a shared culture, connected by curiosity, the beauty of handmade work, and the desire to push the limits of the material. His work inspired generations of artisans around the world—including many in Latin America—and laid the foundations for what we now understand as contemporary woodturning art.
His biographer, Craig Edelbrock, wrote words that resonate with special strength:
“Ellsworth and his colleagues were not merely organizing a club. They were building a cultural home. His story is one of generativity: of planting seeds for a future he knew he would not see, of nurturing a community that could grow and evolve long after him.”
David founded the American Association of Woodturners (AAW) and paved the way for the lathe to evolve from a functional tool into an artistic medium with its own voice. He was also a tireless educator, with thousands of students who now carry on his technique, philosophy, and generous spirit in workshops around the globe.
The void he leaves is immense—but so is the seed he planted: a world where woodturning is art, community, and legacy.
Notable book by David Ellsworth:
Ellsworth on Woodturning: How a Master Creates Bowls, Pots, and Vessels (2008)